Hawai`i - Kaua`i County

While Kauai's reputation as home to the wettest spot on Earth—Mount Wai'ale'ale, averaging 485 inches of rain per year—has lead to its popular designation as "The Garden Isle," the island has another, older name: "The Separate Kingdom." This County includes both Kaua'i and the island of Ni'ihau.

The island of Kaua'i is so lush and beautiful it is no wonder that it has been featured in more than 70 Hollywood movies and television shows, including the musical South Pacific and Disney's 2002 animated feature film and television series Lilo & Stitch. Scenes from South Pacific were filmed in the vicinity of Hanalei. Waimea Canyon was used in the filming of the 1993 film Jurassic Park. Parts of the island were also used for the opening scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Other movies filmed here include Six Days Seven Nights, the remake of King Kong and John Ford's 1963 film Donovan's Reef. Coco Palms Resort is a famous resort located on this island and many of Elvis' films including Blue Hawaii were filmed here.

The serene environment of Kauai is ideal for keiki (children) of all ages.

This northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain is entwined with sharp mountain spires, lush valleys and jagged cliffs, all draped in a canopy of emerald. Kauai appeals to a wide audience because of its dramatic beauty, abundance of activities, and laid back atmosphere.

Kaua'i's age has also led to something of a geographic anomaly: Although it is one of the smallest of the main Hawaiian Islands, the forces of nature have had more time to break the island down and produce more sand beach around its 110-mile coastline than any other island in the chain. Meanwhile, it remains the least populated of Hawai'i's four counties (with roughly 56,000 permanent residents), and both development and tourism have been concentrated in relatively few locations. All of which furthers the sense that Kauai is, in fact, a separate kingdom.

Medically Underserved Areas

Due to its remoteness, the entire island of Kaua'i is considered medically underserved. It is served by a Critical Access Hospital and two Community Health Centers that are elligible to recruit NHSC health professionals and J-1 Visa personel. As with most of the rural islands in our state, Kaua'i has public transportation issues.

Hawai'i participates in the State Conrad 30 program but we do not provide direct recruitment services for J1 candidates. There are several Conrad 30 slots available, but opportunities for J1 physicians in the State of Hawai'i are very limited. Specialties are accepted.

To request a State of Hawai'i Conrad 30 waiver recommendation letter, candidates need to:
1) apply for a J-1 Visa waiver through the U.S. Department of State;
2) get a waiver review case number from U.S. Department of State;
3) secure an employment contract with a medical facility in a HPSA or Medically Underserved Area, signed by the candidate and the head of the facility, to provide patient care for at least 40 hours per week for a 3-year term;
4) send required information to Scott Daniels at the Hawai'i Dept. of Health, State Office of Rural Health.